Dr. Charles Wykoff's specialty is vitreoretinal diseases (retina and vitreous). These areas are among Dr. Wykoff's clinical interests: diabetic retinopathy, eye exam, and vitreoretinal surgical procedures. He is affiliated with Houston Methodist. He accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Gold, and more. His practice is open to new patients. After completing medical school at Harvard Medical School, he performed his residency at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Wykoff has received professional recognition including the following: Texas Rising Stars.

Dr. John Alappatt's specialty is vitreoretinal diseases (retina and vitreous). Areas of expertise for Dr. Alappatt include vitreoretinal surgical procedures. Dr. Alappatt is in-network for several insurance carriers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, and Amerigroup Star. After attending Northeast Ohio Medical University for medical school, he completed his residency training at a hospital affiliated with the University of Cincinnati. He is affiliated with Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital.

Dr. Amy Schefler's area of specialization is vitreoretinal diseases (retina and vitreous). Dr. Schefler's areas of clinical interest consist of microsurgery, eye exam, and eye cancer. She honors Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, and Amerigroup Star, as well as other insurance carriers. Her education and training includes medical school at Weill Cornell Medical College and residency at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Her hospital/clinic affiliations include Houston Methodist and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. Dr. Schefler's practice is open to new patients.

Dr. Lee Tran's specialty is vitreoretinal diseases (retina and vitreous). After attending Baylor College of Medicine for medical school, Dr. Tran completed his residency training at a hospital affiliated with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. In his practice, Dr. Tran focuses on vitreoretinal surgical procedures. He is an in-network provider for several insurance carriers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, and Amerigroup Star. He is professionally affiliated with Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital.

Dr. Usha Pinninti's specialty is vitreoretinal diseases (retina and vitreous). Dr. Pinninti's professional affiliations include Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital and Methodist Hospital. After completing medical school at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, she performed her residency at George Washington University Medical Center. She honors Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, and Amerigroup Star, in addition to other insurance carriers.

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What are Vitreoretinal Diseases?

Vitreoretinal disease, or vitreoretinal surgery, is a subspecialty of ophthalmology that focuses on the surgical care of the back of the eye, or the retina. The retina is the layer of nerve tissue at the rear of the eye that senses light and is responsible for vision. Connected to the retina is a thick, clear gel called vitreous. In order to perform surgery on the retina, the vitreous must sometimes be removed. Doctors who can operate on these incredibly delicate parts of the eye are called vitreoretinal surgeons.

Some of the eye conditions that a vitreoretinal surgeon might treat include:

Diabetic retinopathy

Macular degeneration

Retinal detachment or tears

Macular holes

Retinal vein occlusion

Retinoblastomas

During vitreoretinal surgery, small incisions are made in the white of the eye, and very tiny instruments are inserted. The surgeon uses a microscope to treat the areas needed deep within the eye. In some procedures, a gas bubble is injected into the eye to apply pressure to the retina and keep it in place while it heals. If this is the case, you may be asked to lie face down for a few days after surgery. Eye drops containing antibiotics and other medications are also commonly prescribed.

Vitreoretinal diseases can be a serious threat to your vision. In many cases, vitreoretinal surgery can ensure you are able to see well into the future.